Negri waives rents for state-owned stalls, public housing for another month
SEREMBAN: Rental fees for state government-owned stalls and housing units will be waived for another month to help them cushion the effects of Covid-19, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Aminuddin Harun. He said 6,114 traders, including those operating at markets owned by local councils, will not have to pay rent for the month of July. Another 2,647 families occupying state-government owned units and 474 in People's Housing Project (PPR) units will also be exempted from paying rent for the month of September. "We waived rents for stalls for January, February and June previously, and have now decided to waive it for another month to help traders. "As for housing units, rents were waived for the months of June, July and August, and at today's exco meeting, we agreed to allow them to stay for free for September," he told reporters after chairing the state exco meeting.
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 08:03 UTC
Malaysia end-July palm oil stocks slump to 4-month low as output shrinks
KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia's palm oil stockpiles hit a four-month low at July end, falling below expectations, as production and imports shrank, according to data released by the country's palm oil board on Wednesday. Reuters survey had forecast inventories to rise 1.6% to 1.64 million tonnes. Tighter inventories are expected to support Malaysia's benchmark palm oil contract, which is trading near record highs hit in May. "The report is bullish for the palm oil market as Malaysia's 2021 palm oil production is expected to continue to be in trouble," said Anilkumar Bagani, research head of Mumbai-based vegetable oils broker Sunvin Group. - ReutersArticle type: metered User Type: anonymous web User Status: Campaign ID: 46 Cxense type: free User access status: 3Join our Telegram channel to get our Evening Alerts and breaking news highlights
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 06:45 UTC
Deliveroo doubles orders value even as lockdowns ease
LONDON (Reuters) -Food delivery company Deliveroo said the value of orders on its platform more than doubled in the first half, with no material impact from the wider reopening of restaurants in its biggest market, Britain, in the second quarter. Chief Executive Will Shu said growth had remained strong for both restaurant and grocery orders even as pandemic-related curbs eased. Shu said he had not had any talks with Niklas Oestberg, his counterpart at Delivery Hero, since the move. "I think his view was: the stock's undervalued, I'm gonna start buying, and I know the space super well," Shu told Reuters. First half revenue increased 82% to 922.5 million pounds, Deliveroo said, while its core operating loss narrowed to 27.0 million pounds from 30.3 million pounds a year earlier.
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 06:30 UTC
My Say: The 30% equity conundrum of the New Economic Policy
He makes the point that we should stop the fixation on a single, monolithic expiry date to the NEP, and with 30% equity ownership as the basis for determining whether policies continue or terminate. Both commentators err by suggesting that the 30% target has yet to be attained. The 30% target was set along with assertions that this would be achieved through a process of economic growth and not redistribution or nationalisation or expropriation. Despite the importance attached to this important policy target, data has been released at infrequent intervals. A transparent and timely availability of ownership data would remove a key contributor to ethnic tensions.
Source:The Edge Markets
August 11, 2021 03:31 UTC
Artaidartist community initiative leads efforts to jumpstart Malaysian art scene
Chetak 12, a KL-based artist-run printmaking studio, has taken the lead to change the grim mood and lift the spirits of the art scene. Bayu, artist and director of Hom Art Trans in KL, knew something needed to be done to mobilise the art scene. Photo: ArtaidartistOrganised mainly by Chetak 12, this initiative is done in collaboration with indie art spaces Hom Art Trans, Kapallorek, Rumah Seni Selangor, Dasein Academy Of Art, young artist collective U12 Art Community, Ara Damansara Artists, art community Batu Belah Art Community, Perak-based indie art agency People Of Remarkable Talents and art group Titikmerah Collective. “This effort is important as it involves art spaces and the art community. New directions, new mindsetThe sight of big names in the art scene joining newcomers in Artaidartist is an encouraging one.
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 03:00 UTC
Malaysian actor Badrol Shah’s wife dies due to Covid-19 Delta variant, leaves behind 4 daughters
A day after comedian Shuib Sepahtu lost his wife – singer Siti Sarah – to Covid-19, actor Badrol Shah faces the same situation as his wife passed away due to Covid-19 Delta variant. Farah Sheila Mazlan, 37, was announced dead at 1pm on Tuesday (Aug 10), eight days after she was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) at Kuala Lumpur Hospital. “She got the Covid-19 Delta variant virus on July 20,” informed Badrol to mStar, The Star’s Malay portal. He got married to Farah in 2017, resulting in the birth of daughter Putri Da’aiyatul Insyirah, who is now two years old. They also have three other daughters from Farah’s first marriage – Putri Farah Nordina Dania, 12, Putri Farah Nordina Zawana, 11 and Putri Farah Norhaziqah, seven.
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 01:07 UTC
U.S. Senate pivots to US$3.5 trillion bill, key to Biden's agenda
The bipartisan $1 trillion infrastructure bill, which the 100-member chamber passed in a 69-30 vote, could provide the nation's biggest investment in decades in roads, bridges, airports and waterways. With a razor-thin majority in the Senate, Democrats pivoted quickly to a budget resolution containing spending instructions for the multi-trillion-dollar follow-up package. On Tuesday, Yellen also endorsed the idea of a follow-up spending package, saying the $1 trillion infrastructure plan should have a sequel. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office last week said the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill would increase federal budget deficits by $256 billion over 10 years. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who voted for the infrastructure bill, called the $3.5 trillion package Democrats sought "radical".
Source:The Edge Markets
August 11, 2021 01:07 UTC
300,000 thankful for govt’s cashless food aid initiative
THE government’s Prihatin Kasih cashless food aid programme is proving to be a boon to the underprivileged nationwide. “The MyKasih cashless programme can be quickly and efficiently executed in a safe and secure manner, with no cash exchanging hands. “And most importantly, this prevents queueing and crowding of recipients to receive food aid,” he said. Its flagship “Love My Neighbour-hood” cashless food aid programme ensures that there is food on the table for those families. In addition to the “Love My Neighbourhood” cashless food aid programme, MyKasih also runs the “Love My School” student bursary programme.
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 00:00 UTC
Charity initiative hopes for fruitful endeavour
A BUSINESSMAN hopes to raise money for the underprivileged by selling oranges. Richard Fruit Sdn Bhd managing director Richard Nah has set a target of RM300,000 through the sale of fresh Navel oranges, with gross proceeds to be donated through selected non-governmental organisations (NGOs). He added this was the first time he was leading a major charity project and was grateful for the support given by Fruitbee Pty Ltd through Vince DeAgostino. The committee comprises Richard Fruit Sdn Bhd group operations manager Lee Ee Wah, Ernst & Young Consulting Sdn Bhd strategy and transactions senior advisor George Koshy, IBM Malaysia senior manager Low Chin Han and senior lawyer Max Yong. “We have consulted the local authorities on ways to conduct this initiative on the ground and have received the green light.
Source:The Star
August 11, 2021 00:00 UTC
Traders prefer to give away unsold food and ensure its freshness
“This situation, where donated food ends up in the bin, has been happening for a few years now, even during pre-Covid times. “I make sure my food is still fresh and will never give away unsold food that has turned bad,” said fried fishball seller Anon Ahmad from Seri Petaling. Aulia Ibrahim, 24, also does not believe in throwing away unsold food. Saifudin Mohd Noor, 33, who sells nasi kerabu, donates unsold food to surau, mosques and passers-by. However, the lockdowns have caused a drop in customers, forcing many traders to give away their unsold food.
Source:The Star
August 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
Donor buys food from hawkers and personally delivers to poor
PEOPLE who wish to help support struggling hawkers by buying their food to give to the needy should personally deliver it, a regular food donor opines. Since June 27, Poh has been helping struggling street hawkers and the poor by buying food from the former and donating it to the latter. He also insists that the hawkers, when packing, only place 10 packets of food per bag so that the food is not flattened when being delivered. “My mission is not only to feed the poor but also support hawkers who are struggling to survive. Those who want to support Poh in his charitable work can find him on Facebook.
Source:The Star
August 10, 2021 23:37 UTC
Bride and groom steal the show at PPV
PETALING JAYA: A couple clad in their wedding attire stole the limelight at a Covid-19 vaccination centre (PPV). “At first, we received a date from the religious office that our solemnisation ceremony would be held on Aug 4 at 12pm. Syazwina, 26, from Cheras, said she wore her wedding dress before leaving for the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre PPV and the religious office afterwards. “I arrived at the PPV at 10am accompanied by my groom, who was wearing a white baju Melayu to match my dress. “Once I was done with my vaccination, my groom and I rushed to the religious office for our solemnisation ceremony,” she said.
Source:The Star
August 10, 2021 23:15 UTC
Sports buffs cautious and not raring to go
However, most folk still prefer to exercise on their own or play sports with physical distance to avoid catching the Covid-19 virus. Factory worker Mohd Zabidi Mohd Yusoff, for instance, preferred to go fishing at a less crowded area. On Sunday, Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin announced that Covid-19 restrictions would be eased for those who have been fully vaccinated for states under Phase Two and above of the NRP. Sports without physical contact and recreational activities would be allowed from 6am to 10pm at outdoor and semi-indoor areas. “Muay Thai requires physical contact, so we have not been able to practise in a group.
Source:The Star
August 10, 2021 23:15 UTC
Sabah tourism players waiting for state SOP first
However, the Sabah Police Commissioner said yesterday that inter-district travel was still not allowed because the state government did not make any announcement on this. Sabah has been allowing dine-in for over a month even before the state came under Phase Two of the NRP. Sabah Parks director Dr Maklarin Lakim said while its parks and islands had been reopened for quite some time, overnight stays were still not allowed. Meanwhile, some of the Sabahans were more interested in inter-district travel. So, I hope we would be allowed inter-district travel to see him,” she said.
Source:The Star
August 10, 2021 23:15 UTC
Couples delay reunions
PETALING JAYA: Married couples separated by distance are still wary of travelling to meet each other, even though they are fully vaccinated. Chong Poh Keng, 58, from Ipoh, Perak said she was initially happy to hear about the easing of the SOP to allow such reunions across state borders as of yesterday. Chong and her husband were fully inoculated since July, while her daughter just received her second dose earlier this month. “Of course I am going to travel to meet her soon, but only after the cases go down. “I was very happy when the government announced that interstate travel for long-distance married couples will be allowed,” said Mohd Alif.
Source:The Star
August 10, 2021 23:13 UTC